Guardian Mobility and Flightcell International, two aircraft communications companies, have developed a first-to-market aviation communications system that provides cellular and satellite mid-band data and voice services to light fixed-wing and rotorcraft operators.

Flightcell's DZMx, an all-in-one cellular and satellite voice, data and tracking system, will be complemented by the new Guardian Mobility G6 Iridium Certus 100 satellite terminal, adding 88kbps bi-directional satellite data connectivity. The new Guardian Mobility G6 is a one-box unit with Size Weight and Power (SWaP) advantage, proven to be a great solution for installation on smaller aircraft.

“This solution complements Flightcell's cellular connectivity and will offer new features, capabilities and cost-effective aviation satellite communications that have not been seen before in this market,” says Flightcell VP Hamish Neill.

Integrating the Flightcell DZMx and Guardian Mobility G6 provides a reliable and global data service optimised for small, low-power equipment. Key benefits include:

Mid-band Bi-directional 88Kbps IP Data: The Iridium mid-band Certus service provides a cost-effective solution to global data transmission. Guardian's G6 uniquely provides uplink (transmission) speeds of up to 88kbps, making it ideal for data transmission from aircraft, including email, flight following and data monitoring, medical device data, images and compressed video.

Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT): Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) service optimises data transport across the Iridium network for small to moderate-sized messages, allowing increased data and reduced costs compared to Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD).

Two High-Quality Voice Lines: Operators will benefit from high-quality Certus satellite voice-based communication for up to two simultaneous voice lines integrated into the aircraft audio system.

Significant Cost Savings: Operators can see significant cost savings when data is routed through the Flightcell DZMx cellular option and using the 88/88kbps data link of the G6 Certus satellite service when cellular is not available.

Simple Installation: Flightcell's and Guardian Mobility's small form factor devices provide an easy and cost-effective installation option to meet any connectivity requirements.

“We have a unique solution for aviation fleet operators, especially those specialising in aerial fire, law enforcement, EMS and military operations,” says Stephane Momy, Guardian Mobility COO. “Partnering with Flightcell combines aviation knowledge and market reach to help us further expand the capabilities we're able to offer to the market.”

The Flightcell and Guardian Mobility Iridium Certus 100 solution will be available from mid-2023.